Monday 29, October, 2007, 18:00
Preparing for the Kampala CHOGM
Speakers:
Baroness Vadera (tbc), Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for International Development
A half-day conference with Commonwealth and other civil society organisations to discuss their contributions to the processes of the Commonwealth Peoples’ Forum, Commonwealth Youth Forum and Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2007.
The event will commence with an address by Baroness Vadera (tbc), Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for International Development, on the UK government’s own engagement with, and priorities for, CHOGM. A combination of plenary sessions and small-group activity will follow.
Ticketing: Admission free.
THE NORTHERN UGANDA -LANGO CONFERENCE UK 2007
Lango Diaspora Conference recently in the UK was conceived by Langi in the Diaspora after the realisation that Lango sub-region in northern Uganda has lagged behind in development, especially in the last 20 years, compared to the rest of Uganda.
The objectives of the Conference were:
· To enable the Langi in the Diaspora and back home to discuss the development of Lango sub region.
· To identify factors hindering the development of Lango sub-region, and make recommendations.
· To raise awareness of the international community about the humanitarian situation in Lango sub-region.
· To enable the Langi in the Diaspora to have meaningful discussions about the development of the sub-region with the Government of Uganda, members of parliament, Lango professionals and opinion leaders.
· To produce a document that can be used by development partners in the re-construction of Northern Uganda and re-construction of Lango sub-region in particular.
PHOTOS: Ayoub mzee
We have had Emergency Humanitarian Action Plan and also Emergency rehabilitation of the North under Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC). JMC came about because some donors and some people outside Uganda thought the north was not getting what the rest of Uganda were getting and therefore the Government and donors decided to run the north together. The Chairperson of JMC is the Prime Minister. I am also in the group. All LC5 Chairmen attend the group’s meetings. They tell us what is happening and are believed more than me by the donors. We have done a lot under the JMC. Each ministry was given what to do and report back each month.
Photos: Ayoub mzee
Lango Diaspora Conference recently in the UK was conceived by Langi in the Diaspora after the realisation that Lango sub-region in northern Uganda has lagged behind in development, especially in the last 20 years, compared to the rest of Uganda.
The objectives of the Conference were:· To enable the Langi in the Diaspora and back home to discuss the development of Lango sub region.
· To identify factors hindering the development of Lango sub-region, and make recommendations.
· To raise awareness of the international community about the humanitarian situation in Lango sub-region.
· To enable the Langi in the Diaspora to have meaningful discussions about the development of the sub-region with the Government of Uganda, members of parliament, Lango professionals and opinion leaders.
· To produce a document that can be used by development partners in the re-construction of Northern Uganda and re-construction of Lango sub-region in particular.
PHOTOS: Ayoub mzeeWe have had Emergency Humanitarian Action Plan and also Emergency rehabilitation of the North under Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC). JMC came about because some donors and some people outside Uganda thought the north was not getting what the rest of Uganda were getting and therefore the Government and donors decided to run the north together. The Chairperson of JMC is the Prime Minister. I am also in the group. All LC5 Chairmen attend the group’s meetings. They tell us what is happening and are believed more than me by the donors. We have done a lot under the JMC. Each ministry was given what to do and report back each month.
Photos: Ayoub mzeeIn northern Uganda, DFID, under the new Secretary of State Douglas Alexander, will be continuing to support the needs of displaced people, and will be supporting recovery through the priorities of PRDP – the Peace, Recovery and Development Programme – with the goal of bringing the north to the level of the rest of the country.
"The question therefore is: What is that reason for our residence in Britain, and for the residence of millions of British people abroad? The answer to that question is that, residence is dictated, by the duty of man itself. What then is the duty of man? Ecclesiastes Chapter 9, Verse 10 puts it thus: Whatever Thy Hand fineth to do: Do it with all thy Might. God has given every man a special gift, a special skill. The twofold duty of man is: first, to develop that skill and second to use it for the benefit of God’s creation" DR Akena Adoko
Photos: Ayoub mzee
"The question therefore is: What is that reason for our residence in Britain, and for the residence of millions of British people abroad? The answer to that question is that, residence is dictated, by the duty of man itself. What then is the duty of man? Ecclesiastes Chapter 9, Verse 10 puts it thus: Whatever Thy Hand fineth to do: Do it with all thy Might. God has given every man a special gift, a special skill. The twofold duty of man is: first, to develop that skill and second to use it for the benefit of God’s creation" DR Akena Adoko
Photos: Ayoub mzee The minister of security HON Amama mbabazi [above]Assured the delegates of the absolute commitment of the Government of Uganda, to the urgent and expeditious reconstruction of northern Uganda including Lango sub-region. Government has accordingly adopted the National Peace, Recovery and Development Plan (PRDP) for Northern Uganda which included: consolidation of State Authority, rebuilding and empowering communities, Revitalisation of the Economy, Peace Building and Reconciliation - at the cost of US$606 million
“Won Nyaci wa, Won Nyaci wa, Won Nyaci megwa …..”
PHOTO:Ayoub mzee
Lango Diaspora Conference RECENTLY IN THE uk was conceived by Langi in the Diaspora after the realisation that Lango sub-region in northern Uganda has lagged behind in development, especially in the last 20 years, compared to the rest of Uganda. 
Photo: Ayoub mzee
Photo: Ayoub mzeeThe government delegation was headed by Hon Amama Mbabazi - Minister for security[above]. He was accompanied by Hon David Wakikona Minister of State for Northern Uganda and Hon Daniel Omara Atubo, Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban development.
Photo: Ayoub mzee
The minister of Land HON Omara Atubo[ white T shirt] with the Lango Paramount Chief (Won Nyaci) Yocam Odur, members of parliament, local government leaders, teachers, businessmen, opinion leaders and women representatives were also present
The conference came at a time when the Government of Uganda and the Lords Resistance Army LRA, are holding peace talks in Juba-Southern Sudan. Since the peace talks began one year ago, there has been a spell of peace in Northern Uganda. The people formerly living in internally displaced people’s camps have started to return to their villages. The conference was therefore timely in its deliberation to discuss how best the region can be rebuilt after two decades of conflict.
PHOTO:Ayoub mzeeThe conference adopted a non-partisan approach to development. This was done to unite the people of Lango, regardless of their loyalties and affiliations, for the noble task of rebuilding their motherland
PHOTO: Ayoub mzee
PHOTO: Ayoub mzeeThe conference focused primarily on Lango sub-region. The dire humanitarian situation in Lango sub-region appears to have been overshadowed by those of her neighbours Acholi and Teso. As a result, Lango sub region has not received deserved attention, as her neighbours have. 
Photo: Ayoub mzee
Photo: Ayoub mzeeThis session took place in the University of East London, Docklands campus, and was relayed live on radio Unity FM and Radio North FM of Lira in Northern Uganda.
Photo: Ayoub mzee
photo:ayoub mzee
Photo: Ayoub mzeeLango is characterised as the 6th least developed region in Uganda. The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency has been a major contributing factor to the underdevelopment of Northern Uganda and of Lango region in particular.
photo:ayoub mzeeThe presence of delegates from various countries was also acknowledged and this included: Dr Mike Ogwal from USA, Dr Oku Oleng from Australia, Adam Odwar from Canada, Edward Ojuka from South Africa, Peters Agea from Denmark. Also introduced were Lango Members of Parliament, namely: Hon Omara Atubo, who is also Minister of Lands, Housing & Urban Development, Hon Ben Wacha, Chairman of Lango Parliamentary Group, Hon Rebecca Otengo, Hon Beatrice Lagada, and Hon David Ebong Abongo.
[Acknowledgement: Lango community, Uganda Government, University of East Landon]
[Acknowledgement: Lango community, Uganda Government, University of East Landon]
Should you need a DVD copy of the event please call tel 07960811614
